The harms of cannabis far outweigh its therapeutic benefits. It is the conclusive conclusion of the most important analysis that has been done so far on this issue and that was presented yesterday at the Clínic Hospital in Barcelona. Although cannabinoids “can improve some medical conditions in epilepsy, chronic pain, spasticity (tense and stiff muscles), sclerosis or intestinal inflammations, the harms weigh much more”.
These are the words of doctors Eduard Vieta and Joquim Raduà, who have participated in this study, published in a reference medium, the weekly magazine British Medical Journal. The researchers have analyzed all previous academic work on the benefits and harms of this psychoactive substance, which they see as particularly dangerous for those under 25 because of the risk of developing psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorders, among other diseases.
Because? “Because the brain of young people is maturing and cannabis interferes in this process”, explained the specialists, who consider that in the same way that the law prohibits the consumption of alcohol by minors, protection should be strengthened of those younger than 25 before cannabis and take this into account when, for example, clubs and smoking premises.
The Catalan people responsible for the research consider that the authorities should take measures and not authorize access to cannabis clubs to those younger than 25 years old, since the human brain only develops and matures between the ages of 25 and 30. The adverse effects of this substance, moreover, do not end there.
The work also warns of the danger of consumption in pregnant women, drivers and people with a predisposition or mental health disorders. If cannabis were an iceberg, the tip would be the benefits, and the harms, the great mass of ice under the sea. But even so, it must be borne in mind that the benefits can also lead to side effects for these patients. These are resounding and simple conclusions, although not very surprising, but never until now have all important studies on this issue been systematically reviewed.
Head of psychiatry and psychology at the Clinic and the bipolar and depressive disorders group at Idibaps, Dr. Vieta is a researcher at Cibersam and professor of psychiatry at the University of Barcelona (UB). The Idibaps or Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (in honor of the eminent physiologist who died in 1965) is a reference in the field of biomedicine and is integrated by the Clinic, the UB, the Generalitat and the Superior Council of ‘ Scientific Research.
For its part, the Center for Medical Research in the Mental Health Network or Cybersam is linked to the Charles III Institute of Health, another national and international benchmark in medical research and public health. Joaquim Raduà, the second Catalan specialist to have participated in the study, is head of the imaging group for disorders related to mood and anxiety at Idibaps.
Doctor Raduà is also a researcher at Cibersam and an associate professor at the UB. The study in which he and his colleague participated was led by researchers from the University of Linköping (Sweden), the University of Ottawa (Canada) and Yonsei University (South Korea). All these experts have evaluated the associations between cannabis, cannabinoids, medicine and health.
Important harmful effects are evident in certain groups, the study says: increased risk of psychosis in young people, adolescents and people with a predisposition to have a mental health problem. And it is also responsible for the “low birth weight of babies born to pregnant women who consume it”, as well as a “higher risk of car accidents”. Drowsiness and gastrointestinal problems can be other side effects.
The study, indicated the participants, “clearly points out that the use of cannabis and derivatives must be prevented in people at risk, who are younger than 25 years, pregnant women and drivers”. His conclusion is conclusive: “All these people should not consume cannabis in any way”. In fact, this substance should not be consumed, “except in specific cases where a clinical benefit has been demonstrated”.
These benefits are restricted to people with epilepsy, chronic pain, spasticity or multiple sclerosis. Not everyone who consumes it will develop psychosis or other mental problems, but the risk is high and is determined by genetic factors that are still unknown. In the case of pregnant women, like drivers, all psychoactive substances are contraindicated, including the most important: alcohol.
